KUCHING: Sarawak has asked Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low cost cost arm, to consider operating daily flights between Singapore and Miri.
State Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin who floated the idea based his justification on Miri’s importance to the oil and gas industry.
Shell Malaysia, for instance, is moving its upstream headquarters to Miri, which will house Shell’s total staff of 2,000 from across Malaysia, he told a delegation from Scoot who paid him a courtesy call here today (Mar 12).
“This shows the confidence of the company in Sarawak as the preferred investment destination in Malaysia, especially in the oil and gas sector.
“Therefore, with Scoot’s flight connecting Singapore and Miri, Shell officiers from overseas who need to be in Miri will be able to fly directly via Singapore,” he said.
It was earlier reported that beginning May 20 this year Scoot will operate four flights to Miri and from June 5, to Sibu three times weekly.
It will maintain its current schedule of seven flights to Kuching per week.
During the courtesy visit Lee stressed the significance of extending Scoot’s services to major towns in Sarawak, particularly Sibu, highlighting the growing number of visitors from Singapore in recent years.
He proposed optimising flight schedules between Singapore and Sibu to enhance connectivity within the Singapore Airlines’ network and minimise disruptions for passengers transferring at Changi airport.
The Scoot delegation led by general manager Yeo Kaijie informed Lee
that Scoot would be utilising their newly acquired Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with a seating capacity of 112 passengers, to facilitate air travel to Miri, Kuching, and Sibu.
“Scoot is servicing 18 destinations in China and will provide a platform for more Chinese tourists looking for holiday destinations and connections via Singapore,” he said.
Lee commended Scoot and Singapore Airlines for their initiative, anticipating strengthened relations between Singapore and Sarawak, as well as increased business, investment, and tourism activities between the two regions.
